Lee Alban

 “I make no compromises. I refuse to follow temporary economic or
stylistic trends in exception to the timeless art of contemporary realism.”

 
Lee Alban began drawing as a child and learned basic art techniques from television programs and library books.  Throughout his school years his interest intensified and, though encouraged by teachers, chose not to pursue an art career.  It was a life choice based on the limited ability of an artist to support a family and other social considerations.  Instead, he followed his love of biology and became a secondary school teacher, married, raised two children and eventually retired at age 52.  At that time he entered the Schuler School of Fine Arts in Baltimore, Maryland.  The Schuler School is a small traditional atelier that has produced some of the country's premier artists.

Proficient in many styles of painting, Alban fell in love with realism.  He also combines realistic subject matter with impressionistic landscape paintings to produce the "Spirits of the American West" series.  His work has garnered numerous awards in every genre, including the prestigious Gold Medal Award from Allied Artists of America and the Excellence in Still Life Award from Oil Painters of America. He has attained signature memberships in the Oil Painters of America and the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society.  He is also an elected member of the Allied Artists of America and American Artists Professional League.  He is designated as an Assoc. Living Master by the Art Renewal Society.  His work has appeared in major art publications, including Artists Magazine (cover), American Art Collector, Western Art Collector, International Artist, Fine Art Connoisseur, and the quarterly journal of the Center for Railroad Photography and Art.

Alban is known for portraits of women "steam" workers and for his narrative paintings of Native American heritage, but he also paints landscapes, diners, railroad scenes, figures, and still life.  His work is in found educational institutions, corporations, and private collections throughout the country.

McBride Gallery is pleased to show the oil paintings of this exceptional artist.

2017 Women Artists of the West, 47^th National Exhibition, McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD
2017 Women Artists of the West, 47^th National Exhibition, Best Landscape Award "Miller's Pond,"
2017 International Guild of Realism, Salon Show, Scottsdale, AZ
National Oil and Acrylic Painter’s Society Best of America 2015, 2014, 2012-2010  
Best Landscape Award, Master Signature Exhibition 2015, 2016
Salmagundi Club, New York City: 18th & 14th Annual Open Exhibitions: 1991, 1995; Members’ Annual Exhibition, 2011, 2012, 2014; Thumb Box Exhibition, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011

2014 -100 Plein Air Painters of the Mid-Atlantic by Gary Pendleton, Exhibit at McBride Gallery
2013-2014 Salon International: Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX
2013 Oil Painters of America, Eastern Regional Exhibition, McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD
National Arts for the Parks, Jackson Hole, WY: Top 100 in 1989, 1991, 1992, 2001, 2006; 
State Department Arts in Embassies Program 1994-1996 Vatican, Rome, 2003-2005
Ankara,  Turkey, 2007-2009 Bratislava, Slovakia
2008-2009 Plein Air Easton, Easton, MD

Oil Painters of America National Exhibition: 2000 Gallery Americana, Carmel CA,
2001 Zantman Art Galleries, Palm Desert, CA; Regional Exhibition:
2002 Brazier Gallery, Richmond, VA,
2004 Barnsite Art Studio & Gallery, Kewaunee, WI,
2008 Richland Fine Art, Nashville, TN